National Award
For Carnatic Classical Vocal
Receiving the National Award for Carnatic Classical Vocal from the Hon. Chief Minister of Jharkhand, Shri. Arjun Munda and other political leaders on the stage. The event was co- organized by Tata Steel at the JRD Tata Stadium in Jamshedpur in January, 2004.
The National Youth Festival in India is an annual gathering of youth and it is celebrated to acknowledge the birth anniversary of “Youth Icon Swami Vivekananda” during the National Youth Week of 12th - 16th January every year.
It is organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India in collaboration with one of the State Governments. This prestigious event is held by a different State each year.
The youth festival aims to promote national integration, spirit of communal harmony, skill, ability, courage and adventure amongst the youth by exhibiting their cultural talent in a common platform.
The selection process for this event is quite challenging, as the young talents participate in several rounds right from their schools, to cities, to zones, inter-cities and finally wrestle it out at the State level. Here, the winner is awarded by the State and then promoted to represent the State at the National Level.
This event where I participated was organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India and by the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of Jharkhand and by Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan.
The age group for Carnatic Classical Vocal (music) was from 17-35 years in 2003-04. A total of 17 participants came from all over the country and I won the First prize and got the National Award for the State of Gujarat. It was a proud moment for me, my family and my State as I had created history for being the youngest winner for this category.
I received congratulatory letters from the then Chief Minister Hon. Mrs. Anandiben Patel and the Hon. Education Minister of Gujarat, who applauded me for my merit and showered me with blessings for bringing home the award.
For more information - https://yas.nic.in/youth-affairs/national-youth-festival
A happy picture with my dad, after I won the National Award.
